Wanderlust Travel Adventures by Kristina

06/21/2024

This is why I do what I do, I love receiving this feedback. This family just had an amazing trip to Italy and I am so happy I could make it happen for them. 🇮🇹

"The trip was amazing. The flow, the accommodations, activities, food, everything. The transportation support was a huge value to my sanity and ability to relax rather than trying to navigate with 10-year-olds in tow. The cooking class was probably the highlight of the whole trip and we loved the mask making, too.

The tour guides were great. Remarkably knowledgeable and were flexible enough to adjust plans to accommodate 10-year-olds who get hungry, thirsty and have to go potty. Our guide in Milan was probably the best. He created rapport with the girls (I have very shy kids) and a knack for bringing attention to what would interest them most. He was also surprisingly sensitive to the differences between their interests. Very talented guide.

Dei Rossi was the best meal of the trip. Hands down. The owner waited our table personally, was attentive and fantastic at engaging the girls.

The gondola ride was a neat experience. Our driver sang and made it extra fun.

Thank you so much for making it an amazing trip. It really was."

05/30/2024

Just had clients stay at this beautiful resort. One of the most exclusive and unique resort experiences in the US. As always my clients get special perks.

05/17/2024

I've sent clients to Oman and they had an amazing time. For those who have been everywhere and are looking for new adventures, I can plan a fabulous Oman itinerary for you.

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/krismill74437/travel/articles/heres-how-to-spend-12-days-in-oman?utm_campaign=vtj

05/10/2024

Happy Mother's Day this weekend to all the Moms!

Check out this round-up of the best mother daughter trip ideas. Here is where I currently have some clients heading on mother daughter trips on the books for the coming months:

• London - theater, afternoon tea, shopping, sightseeing
• Paris - fabulous meals, a day trip to Champagne, shopping
• Italy - cooking classes, sightseeing, relax in Tuscany
• Spain - flamenco, sightseeing, food and wine
• Vermont - spa, hiking, farm to table meals
• Hawaii - relax on the beach, spa, soak up some local culture

Also happy to plan mother-son trips too!

While we’re wary of using the word “best” around here, rounding up the “best mother-daughter trips” was an exercise in restraint considering our list could have been a mile long to represent all the places we want to discover with our moms. Ultimately, the type of trip that’s perfect for...

05/08/2024

Check your passports please! Many countries require 6 months of validity after your travel dates.

03/06/2024

So excited for clients I just booked on a Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection cruise to the Mediterranean. My clients receive special perks for booking through me such as complimentary dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, cabin upgrades if available, enhanced wifi, and bridge tours with the Captain. Plus I will handle all of their pre and post arrangements so they can enjoy some time in Europe before and after their cruise.

02/29/2024

I already have four client trips planned to Canada this summer. It's such a great value for your money destination, easy for Americans, and so beautiful in the summer. Let me know if Canada has been on your wish list. 🇨🇦

Click the link for so many Canadian travel ideas.
https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/krismill74437/travel/destinations/north-america/canada?utm_campaign=canada_hub

02/27/2024

I just visited this new hotel in London last month and it is one of my new favorites. Beautiful design and so much history happened here. Raffles London at the OWO (Old War Offices). As always my clients receive complimentary perks for booking through me. 🇬🇧

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/krismill74437/travel/luxury-hotels/16395469/raffles-london-at-the-owo

02/07/2024

If Turkey has been on your wish list this is the year to visit! No more paying for and applying for a visa in advance.

Türkiye Drops Visa Requirement for Travelers From the U.S. and Canada—Making It Easier Than Ever to Visit Istanbul, Cappadocia, and More

10/25/2023

I have a last minute NYC Thanksgiving Parade-view suite available for a 3 night minimum if anyone is interested! Great family bucket list activity.

Join us this holiday season to enjoy a direct view of the parade route. This suite offers spacious living with exceptional views of Central Park and 6th Avenue from its oversize windows. You'll be greeted by an entry foyer leading to two separate living rooms, a guest bathroom, billiards room, and a dining room. Experience luxury at its finest.
• In-Suite Thanksgiving Brunch Menu (up to 8 guests)
• $250 incidentals credit once per stay
• Two Thanksgiving commemorative gifts
• Dylan's Candy Bar Gift
• Escalade Roundtrip airport transfer (JFK, LGA, EWR)
• Featuring one king bedroom with 1.5 baths

Reach out if you’re interested in this awesome opportunity! [email protected]

09/18/2023

This is a great article written by my agency. “A critical conversation centered around what it means to travel to a region impacted by a natural disaster continues to develop.” In places like Maui and Morocco I am really hearing from our partners that they want to encourage us to continue to send our clients because it’s one of the best ways to get money back into the local economy for recovery efforts. Travel can be a force for good. 🩵💚

If the previous three years were marked by travel advisors navigating post-pandemic roadblocks, 2023 presented yet another layer of challenges–responsible tourism in the face of natural disasters. Harking back to SmartFlyer’s founding in 1990, there has been no shortage of unpredictable world ev...

09/12/2023

Who is ready to plan a fall vacation? 🙋‍♀️

Email me and I can plan a fall getaway for you! [email protected]

09/07/2023

This would be such a cool experience: The 2023 VIP Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Party. November 29, 2023. I could plan a whole fun trip to NYC around this party for you. Let me know if you are interested! I have exclusive access to the VIP tickets.

[email protected]

08/10/2023

I get asked about tipping a lot, and I usually send out a tipping guide for each country my clients are traveling to. But this article is a handy quick reference for tipping in several major cities around the world.

When to tip and when not to tip?

08/03/2023

Continuing with my feature of Preferred Partner programs, today I highlight my top-booked hotel chain: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

As a Preferred Partner of Four Seasons my clients are always VIP’d with complimentary amenities worth hundreds of dollars that I can include on any reservation I book. Preferred Partner bookings always take precedent over credit card booking programs, Virtuoso or any other booking method. Meaning my clients are first in line for room upgrades, etc.

I book a ton of Four Seasons properties all over the world, including:

North America: Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Boston, Jackson Hole, Las Vegas, all the Hawaiian Resorts (Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Hualalai), Orlando, Whistler, Montréal, Mexico: Cabo, Punta Mita, Naviva. Costa Rica.

Caribbean: The Ocean Club Bahamas, Anguilla.

Europe: Paris, London, Athens, Madrid.

Asia: Tokyo, Seoul, Bali.

Oceania: Sydney, Bora Bora.

Africa: Tunis, Johannesburg, Egypt.

I always get the best pricing for Four Seasons, it costs you nothing to book with me, and so please always check with me for your next Four Seasons stay. The teams at each resort always take very good care of my clients. [email protected]

08/01/2023

It’s not too late to plan your fall travels! I have clients heading to:
🇯🇵 Japan
🇬🇷 Greece
🇫🇷 France
🇮🇹 Italy
🇵🇹 Portugal
🎰 Las Vegas
⛰️ the Blue Ridge Mountains
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
☀️ And lots of little getaways within Florida

The Japanese countryside and temples surrounded by fall foliage is beautiful. ⛩️

Europe was very hot this summer; heading in the fall means cooler temperatures for exploring the cities, less crowds, and harvest season. 🍇 🍷

Vegas makes a great gateway to many of the Southwestern US National Parks, which will be cooler and less crowded. 🏜️

All along the Appalachians from Georgia to Maine will be exploding with color starting in October. 🍁 🍂

Costa Rica is a year-round destination if you would like a tropical adventure. 🌴

And even though it’s hurricane season, hotel prices are lower in Florida with lots of great deals for long weekend getaways! From the Keys to Tampa and everywhere in between. 🏝️

Please reach out soon for your last minute fall travels: [email protected]

06/28/2023

https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

Did you know that some countries require you to have an International Driving Permit if you plan to rent a car and drive there?

An international driver's license is required for travelers visiting any of the following countries:

Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, or Spain

They are fast and easy to get online through AAA. I have quite a few clients renting cars in Europe this summer and it's always a nice way to explore more of the countryside on your own if you feel comfortable driving in another country. Each country has it's own set of rules though and my in-country partners will share that before my clients arrive so they know what to expect.

Planning an international trip where you will be driving? Get your international driving permit through AAA. When accompanied by a valid US driver license, an IDP allows you to drive abroad. Your IDP is a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo and drive...

03/10/2023

Today’s featured preferred program: Accor hotels. This includes brands like Fairmont, Sofitel, Raffles, M Gallery, Swissotel, 21 C Museum Hotels, and SLS.
Benefits of booking through me include:
• Daily complimentary breakfast for two per room
• Hotel credits to be spent on property
• Room upgrades
• Complimentary wifi
Plus full points and benefits if you are an Accor ALL loyalty member as my bookings count as direct.

I send a lot of clients to the Fairmonts in Canada and the US including Fairmont Olympic Seattle, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Pacific Rim Vancouver, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park, Fairmont Banff Springs, and more. Pictured: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.

03/09/2023

I want to highlight some of the Preferred Programs that I am a part of and today’s focus will be the Hyatt Privé program. This means that my clients get complimentary VIP perks for booking some of the higher-end Hyatts through me. This includes Park Hyatt, Andaz, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Alila, and more. My clients receive:
• Daily full breakfast for two per bedroom
• A room upgrade at booking if available
• Resort credits to spend on property
• Early check-in and late check-out
• Guaranteed connecting rooms confirmed within 24 hours of booking
• Free wi-fi

And sometimes there are promotions like 3rd and 4th night frees only available through the Privé program. On occasion they do have minimum night stay requirements to receive the benefits at some of the less expensive hotels (usually a two night minimum). And Hyatt Privé bookings count as direct so you get full points and it combines with any Hyatt status you may have.

To book a Hyatt just email me and I can take care of it! [email protected]

Pictured: Some of the Hyatts I book the most 1) Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, 2) Park Hyatt Washington DC, 3) Miraval Austin, 4) Alila Ventana Big Sur, 5) Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, 6) Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, and 7) Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de La Mediterranée

02/02/2023

Did you know I can assist with travel centered around major sporting events? Here are just some of the upcoming events I can assist with:

🥇 Paris Summer 2024 Olympics
🏎 Miami Grand Prix
🏎 Las Vegas Grand Prix
🏎 Monaco Grand Prix
🏇 Kentucky Derby
⛳️ Masters Golf Tournament

Hotels, event tickets, VIP events and admission, transportation, and concierge services.

09/08/2022

These are helpful charts for knowing which airlines will cover what during delays and cancellations. These charts really show why I recommend avoiding booking with the ultra low-cost carriers because when things go wrong you have much less recourse to fix the problem.

And keep this in mind too...often times the airlines will try to automatically just give you a future credit, but if you ask for a refund under these circumstances you are entitled to a refund by law.

Am I Entitled to a Refund?

In the following situations, consumers are entitled to a refund of the ticket price and/or associated fees.

Cancelled Flight – A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.

Schedule Change/Significant Delay - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has created a dashboard to ensure the traveling public has easy access to information about services that U.S. airlines provide to mitigate passenger inconveniences when the cause of a cancellation or delay was due to circumstances within the airline’s control...

08/15/2022

When is the best time to book flights?

Off Peak
Domestic: 1-3 months
International: 2-8 months

Peak (holidays and school breaks)
Domestic: 3-7 months
International: 4-10 months

08/11/2022

Hawaii has been a popular destination for my clients this year. I had several clients head to Hawaii this summer all with rave reviews. The most recent family of travelers just returned from a split stay between Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection on the Big Island and the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. They said the service was immaculate at both, they dined at amazing restaurants both on and off-property, and had some really great family time at the pool and beach. They also did a night snorkel with manta rays. And of course my clients received complimentary VIP amenities at both resorts, including amazing room upgrades for booking with me.

07/20/2022

More great feedback out of clients in Italy right now. I love these photos and feedback they shared with me from one of my dream properties in the Italian Dolomites, Forestis.

"Forestis is AMAZING! Definitely one of the top three hotels we’re ever stayed at on-continent. We don’t want to leave and we’re already plotting for our next stay. The service is impeccable, amazing spa, and great dining. I’m the most relaxed I’ve been in too many years—as is my partner (we both wish we could extend the trip).

The spa is amazing. The treatments we tried were very high quality and I’m trying to recall a place in Europe with a substantially better spa experience/value. The pool is very fun and has connected indoor/outdoor portions with a sliding door I’ve never seen before. The views from the pool are incredible. I mean, everywhere you look in this place is incredible. This resort is probably mostly full, but it doesn’t feel like that at all. Super private and well designed. Lots of nearby hiking and outdoor activities (and a great concierge to help organize stuff). This region of Italy does not feel crowded at all.

Thank you for arranging the front row table for us in the dining room. The views are amazing and they are religious about reserving the table throughout your stay. More so than many other hotels, they’re also doing a great job at service continuity. Without ever having to remind them on-property, all the dining staff are aware of our dietary restrictions restrictions. More impressively, we ordered a bottle of local wine last night with dinner. At lunch today, the wait staff gave us some personalized recommendations for wine that the sommelier made based on our order last night. I’m incredibly impressed at the caliber of service, given the price point.

And the views. Drop dead gorgeous! The only bad thing about this hotel is that the glass is so clean and clear that it’s not difficult to walk into a pane of glass full bird-brain style. This room is absolutely stunning and perfectly sized/outfitted. Very glad we splurged here."

I love when my clients are so happy with my hotel recommendations. Please reach out if I can help plan your dream trip to Italy or anywhere! [email protected]

07/12/2022

With all of the craziness of flights and airlines this summer, some good advice in this article.
• Go early
• Always fly direct
• Fly as early in the day as possible
• Download the app of the airline you are flying
• Think twice about the cheapest fares
• Pack smart
• Bring a sweater
• Bring patience

I’m giving my clients the tips and tricks to make sure they have the most stress-free journey.
• Travel insurance
• Baggage tracking services
• Expert Air Department who has your back 24-7
• VIP Airport Assistance to skip the lines
• Global Entry, TSA Precheck, Clear, and Mobile Passport

In two decades of flying, things have never been as stressful as they are now, a cabin insider says. Here, her tips from 30,000 feet for avoiding airline chaos this summer.

07/07/2022

I love these photos and feedback my clients just shared with me upon their return from a gorgeous trip across France. They stayed in multiple boutique hotels and chateaus as they explored the French countryside. They had amazing dining experiences, wine tastings, and did cooking classes.

"The rest of the trip was phenomenal! The property was drop dead gorgeous. Everything from the views of Beaujolais (our new favorite area of France), to the castle itself, was amazing.

Jet lag hit us particularly hard on one of the days we were there, so we asked if we could get room service for dinner (not a clearly published benefit). They proceeded to set up a full-on dining table for us and did a Michelin-quality course-by-course room service. They even brought the traditional French cheese cart and the sommelier (multiple times) over to our room. This is a place that I (and probably my family) will almost certainly return to.

Thanks again for everything you did for the June trip!"

07/04/2022

America the Beautiful. Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 🎆

07/01/2022

I just returned from a fabulous trip to Greece where I checked out all of the best resorts, activities, and restaurants. I’m back in my office now assisting all of my clients as they head off on their summer travels.

If it’s not already, add Greece to your travel wish list. Since it’s such a popular summer destination let’s start planning 9-12 months out so I can get you the best rates and availability. [email protected]

06/17/2022

Not all heroes wear capes! 😂 But I have to agree with this assessment, I feel bad for anyone not traveling with an advisor’s assistance this summer. Too much chaos to navigate without insider connections and VIP assistance.

A profession that the internet nearly killed is helping people make sense of a chaotic, overbooked travel season.

06/17/2022

Love this! So excited for multiple clients I have heading to Venice soon. 🇮🇹